Electric massage



(No Model.)

F. J. S. LAU. ELECTRIC MASSAGE APPLIANGE.

Patented Apr 26, 1898 l fl f y lx gunna/16oz 14 /remx-''ao.

y @1mm/1212i /AWI wif/new@ i2 74M @QM i UNITED STATES PATENT EEieEa FREI) J. S. LAU, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

ELECTRIC MASSAGE PPLEANCE.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,950, dated April 26, 1898.

Application filed July 2 3 l 3 9 7.

T0 all whom, it may concern.-

Beit known that I, FRED J. S. LAU, of Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Hand Applian ces for Massage Operations; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has for its object to provide an apparatus for use in the treatment of afflicted parts of the body by the system commonly known as massage, combining therewith an application of electricity from a medical battery.

To this end the apparatus contemplates an arrangement providing a medical battery, rollers supported in connection therewith, one of the rollers presenting radial projections, through which extend copper wires from a metal shaft, the other roller having a smooth surface, one of the wires from the battery being connected to a Zinc plate on the shaft and the other to a contact-plate, as hereinafter described in detail, and particularly set forth in the appended claims.`

In the drawings forming part of this specifrcation, Figure lis a side elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the feed-rollers.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates a box or inclosing case containing a dry battery, and upon the box is mounted a coil 2, connected to the battery and having the usual slide-cylinder 3 for increasing or decreasing the force of the current, a switch 4: being also mounted upon the box to make and break the circuit.

5 designates the usual. arm for vibratory motion between and contact with the core and a set-screw 6, mounted on the box, said arm being adapted in its vibration to make and break the circuit with great rapidity, being alternately operated in opposite directions by magnetic attraction of the coil and the resiliency of said arm (usually a spring) or by the pressure of a spring (not shown) arranged for this purpose.

Posts 7 and 8 are connected by wire to the Serial No. 645,652. (llo model.)

battery and coil and form connection for the wires, by way of which the application of electricity is made.

rlhe parts just described are common to all medical batteries, and for this reason I lay no claim to the same, as my invention relates particularly to devices for producing themassage treatment and applying the electricity, which devices I shall now proceed to describe.

In carrying out my invention I secure to the box l a rectangular frame D, the strips or hangers which support the frame being preferably extended upward and are secured to the bar lO, forming the handle of the apparatus. The rectangular frame is located a distance below the box, and in one end of the same is j ournaled a roller ll, having a smooth surface preferably formed by a rubber fabric. In the other end of the frame is journaled a transverse metal shaft l2, upon which are mounted two luted rollers presenting projections of rubber. Extending through the projections are copper wires 13, which are connected at their inner ends to the shaft, while their outer ends are upset to present contact-points flush with the ends of the projections. Between the iiuted rollers is a Zinc plate 14, having a strip of sponge secured to the lower edge of the same, the plate being extended and its rear end supported by a cross-bar l5,suitably insulated from the metal frame. The Zinc plate carries a post 16, to which one wire from the medical battery is attached. The other wire from the battery connects with a metal disk 17, carried by a handle, the said disk being preferably provided with a sponge.

In the operation of the apparatus the disk 17 and sponge carried thereby are placed against the body of the patient adjoining the aiiiicted part and the apparatus rolled back and forth over the afflicted part, serving not only to give the massage treatment, but also applying an electric current.

It will also be noted that the wires at the ends of the projections give an uninterrupted application of electricity. The Iiuted roller supplies the kneading process which is usually given manually by the knuckles, while the smooth roller presses the muscles.

The apparatus has been very effective in cases which yield to the massage treatment,

IOO

and by combining electricity a still better effeet is had.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, the combination with a medical battery, of a frame supported below the same, a smooth roller,a fluted roller mounted within the same, a disk and a metal plate carried by the frame and having a sponge at its lower edge, said metal plate being connected to one wire from the battery, the other wire being connected to the disk, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a medical battery, a frame supported thereby, a plate therein, a disk, a smooth roller and a iiuted roller mounted Within the frame, the iiuted roller presenting1 rubber projections, Wires extending to the outer ends of the projections and electrically connected to the plate to which one wire from the battery is attached, the other wire being connected to the disk, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, the combination of a medical battery, a frame secured thereto, a disk provided with a han dle, a luted roller mounted Within the frame, said iluted roller having wires which extend to the outer ends of the projections, and a plate to which said wires are electrically connected, one wire from the battery being attached to the plate and the other wire attached to the disk, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, the combination of a medical battery, a handle connected thereto, a frame supported by the battery, a smooth roller mounted within the frame, and fluted rollers also mounted within the frame; together with a plate interposed between the luted rollers and carrying a sponge, and a separate disk, one wire from the battery being attached to the plate and the other wire to the disk, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED J. S. LAU.

Vit-nesses:

ADOLPH BALKE, NELSON CARTER. 

